Bull Terrier

If you value a fur-free home but can’t live without a special canine in your life, the Bull Terrier might be your pup.  

• Baths: Bathing is a good idea once a month, unless they go for a big romp in the mud; the rest of the time, a pet wipe is a good option for quick spruce-ups.   
• Brushing: Brush your Bull Terrier’s coat once a week with a soft-bristle brush or a grooming mitt, but step it up during their twice-yearly shedding season (in the spring and fall). 
• Dental care: Brush your pup’s teeth daily. It’s a good idea to start when they’re a puppy, so they get used to the experience. Get a pro cleaning at your vet once a year. 
• Ear care: Check their ears for debris every day. If there’s redness, swelling, or an odor, your pup may have an ear infection. Talk to your vet about how to clean your dog’s ears if your Bull Terrier is prone to infections.  
• Nail care: Bull Terriers need their nails trimmed every two to three weeks. If their nails get too long, it can be painful to walk. You’ll know it’s time for a trim when you can hear them tapping on hard surfaces. 

The Bull Terrier has a mind of their own, but they will bring their A-game to training if you make it fun for them.   

Their competitive and curious nature means Bull Terrier puppies are excellent students—and they don’t get tired easily. Even class clowns secretly have a serious side, and Bull Terriers are no exception. With the right training, they can definitely nail basic obedience training.   

Start with some cues like sit and stay when your dog is still a young puppy (or as soon as possible if your Bull Terrier’s a rescue). They need a confident pup parent who uses positive reinforcement (such as treats, toys, and praise) to teach various skills, such as how to walk nicely on a leash and come when called.  

Don’t forget socialization, too. It’s important to introduce your pup to new people and places so they’re used to novel interactions and become a calmer adult (though the Bull Terrier will always retain that goofy personality to some extent—thank goodness). You can take your pup to group training classes or get involved in a dog sport like agility trials, too.  

Ask your vet when it’s safe for your pup to start these activities (usually after they’re fully vaccinated).  

There’s no one-size-fits-all nutrition plan for your Bull Terrier, but every dog needs a complete and balanced diet that meets AAFCO standards. Choose a diet for your dog’s life stage (puppy, adult, or senior).  

Bull Terriers also need plenty of calcium, especially as puppies. Ideally, they’ll get enough from their kibble, but ask your vet if you should add some calcium-rich goodies to their food bowl, like fresh broccoli. 

Remember that treat calories count, too, even though they’re important for motivating your dog during training. Difficult as it may be, know when to say when. Treats should never be more than 10% of a dog’s daily calories.  

You may want to avoid rawhides and bones, as Bull Terriers tend to be good eaters who’ll swallow just about anything whole; instead, use a high-quality dog training treat. You could also try frozen blueberries or green beans (not canned).  

Bull Terriers require a lot of exercise, so if you’re an active person who likes to be on the go, this may be your soul pup.  

This energized kiddo never runs of batteries, so they need (at minimum) an hour of high-energy activity or game time every day. Without enough exercise, the Bull Terrier can easily gain too much weight (which isn’t good for them) and they’ll turn to less healthy ways of coping (like chewing a couch cushion to soothe themselves—not fun for either of you).  

These smart pups need mental stimulation, too. They love interactive toys and games, and they’re great at dog sports, like flyball and agility trials. They’ll probably also love scent work to get their imaginations flowing.  

Bull Terriers are most in their element in a large home with an active pet parent—there are no lazy Sundays for these energetic pups. They need space for impromptu games of fetch, and they’ll love it if you have parks or hiking trails nearby where they can further explore the world.   

They tend to like people—it’s a bigger audience to perform for! Well-socialized Bull Terriers don’t mind a heavily trafficked house, and they’ll probably be more than happy to meet neighbors and guests.   

But because they don’t always know their own strength, they might be a better fit for older kids, though small tots and babies aren’t out of the question if your Bull Terrier is always supervised (and your kids know how to properly interact with dogs).  

Bull Terriers might get along with other dogs, but they might see cats as something to chase after instead of as a housemate.